The Presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, on Wednesday replied the Presidency and Anambra State government who are speaking on behalf of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressive Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), saying that he will henceforth not respond to any surrogate, but is focused on meeting Nigerians and answering their questions and concerns.

Reacting to the call by President Tinubu’s Spokesperson that he should defend the document released by the Anambra State government, Obi said it is “laughable and shameless.”

According to a statement by the Peter Obi Media Office, “a President with such a dirty cupboard that he has been unable to clean, even using hired surrogates, is pointing at the man with undented records in all ramifications.

“Peter Obi is on the road, meeting Nigerians, listening to their concerns, and asking for their mandate directly.

“He will not be distracted by political surrogates deployed to speak for a president who should be speaking for himself.

“Our campaign is about the people, not political noise.

“While others hide behind surrogates, Peter Obi will continue to go directly to Nigerians: to hear them, engage them, and present his vision for a better Nigeria.

“The mandate belongs to the people, and it will be sought from the people, not negotiated through proxies. Let the principals, not surrogates talk.

“Obi will keep walking, meeting, and listening to Nigerians. Obi will not be dragged into endless exchanges with political proxies.

“His focus is on Nigerians—their hardship, their hopes, their concerns, and the future they want. A New Nigeria is possible and will be OK.”